Posted on 02/22/2008 7:08:16 AM PST by Wolfie
Man sells record collection on eBay for $3-million
PITTSBURGH — This could be a record “record.”
A Pennsylvania man says he can now retire because someone has bought his massive collection of vinyl albums, singles and CDs on eBay for the asking price — $3-million (U.S.).
Paul Mawhinney says a buyer from Ireland agreed to shell out $3,002,150 for his collection of nearly three million vinyl albums, singles and CDs.
The winning bidder has already deposited $300,000, and Mawhinney says a bank has confirmed he has enough money to buy the collection.
EBay spokeswoman Karen Bard says the price is one of the highest recorded by the online auctioneer. She says a Gulfstream jet once sold for $4.9-million.
The 68-year-old Mawhinney, who is legally blind after having suffered a couple of strokes, closed his Record Rama store near Pittsburgh yesterday after 40 years. He says he wants to spend time with his wife, three children and five grandchildren.
LOL. Good one!
Sam Brylawski, head of the recorded sound section at the Library of Congress, said its holdings of popular music recordings now total 1 million, while Recordrama’s is more than 2 million. Along with selling music, Recordrama has established a comprehensive discography called Music Master, which offers detailed information on hundreds of thousands of music recordings. Music Master was originally sold as a bound volume in the early 1980s. While it garnered praise from such pop music luminaries as Dick Clark, who referred to it as a required reference, it took a while to sell.
Today, Music Master is an Internet database with more than 600,000 listings, which they expect to market again in bound volumes this year. Recordrama always relishes being challenged by music lovers throughout the world who call seeking a hard-to-find recording. “The most valuable thing wasn’t the records but the information,” said Paul Mawhinney, owner of Recordrama. “The history was key. Without it, you can’t do anything.” Not to be satisfied to just have hit records, Paul boasts that he owns two-thirds of the misses. “Try to get a record by Nick Lomikin anywhere,” he challenges. Nick Lomikin? A local musician long forgotten — except by Paul.
Paul remembers buying 500 copies of a rare album made by Porky Chedwick, the famed local DJ of the 1950s. With the record backed by a funeral home, he remembers buying a casket full of them from Mr. Chedwick at 11:30 p.m. The deal was done in a graveyard, appropriately enough. As he trods through the neatly lined rows of shelves of his collection, the memories kick up like dust and the spin into stories.
Paul Mawhinney is the founder of Recordrama and the creator of Musicmaster.
I’ve got some master promo’s (still sealed) Beatles and Rolling Stones I’d like to sell this guy!!!
I’ve got some master promo’s (still sealed) Beatles and Rolling Stones I’d like to sell this guy!!!
That was his business. Years ago, I used to do corporate videos and for one event back in the 80s which had a patriotic theme, we wanted to use Ray Charles' version of 'God Bless America'. That cut had been out of production for years and none of the normal chain record stores had it or would even try to get it. I called this guy at Record Rama, and he had it --- one copy. He wouldn't sell it but he let us rent it.
His store was very well organized and he could put his hand on any title you wanted in an instant. Odds are, if he didn't have it, it didn't exist.
(sorry)
Ron: I’ll give you five bucks.
Kramer: Five bucks???
Newman: Well, you know how much those records are worth!?
Ron: Yeah, I do... Fi’ dollars.
Newman: Those records are worth more than five dollars!
Kramer: [In Newman’s ear] He’s gyppin’ us...
Newman: You’re gyppin’ us!
Ron: Well, whattya got here, y’know, you got “Don Ho: Live At Honolulu”, you got “Jerry Vale Sings Italian Love Songs” you got Sergio Mendes, now come on...
Kramer: Wait, wait, wait... Sergio Mendes has a cult following.
Newman: They follow him like a cult.
Kramer: He can’t even walk down the street in South America...
Ron: Look, that’s his problem, alright? Now you don’t like it, too bad.
Kramer: [In Newman’s ear] I don’t like it...
Newman: I don’t like it.
Ron: Well, then get the Hell out of my store, alright? You bring me something decent, I’ll give you some money.
Columbia Record Club has followed me from my parent's house through five moves and I've never filled out a change of address form.
We should sign Osama up for an account.
>>What’s the shipping charge going to be.<<
That was the deal maker: Seller pays shipping.
That cover photo is a real work o fart.
Just local recorded Sun records in good shape are nearing a $100 a platter.
I’ll be damned! I grew up with Paul’s younger brother George (no kidding). Paul’s first record shop was under the Glenshaw post office back in late 60s or early 70s.
Bump for later
Buster Crabbe
How about “you emit a foul and unpleasant odor”
Zero. The buyer will pick it up in his 4.9 Mil eBay jet.
I’ve wondered if there’s somebody who does that!
Now I know. :o)
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